$300 billion 'down payment' on defense

SUMMARY:

Investigators grew more skeptical about a reported plot to kill President Bush's brother, the governor of Florida, and the president characterized the $318 billion tagged for the country's defense as a "first step." New York's governor and family organizations planned to protest the compensation plan developed to assist people injured in the September 11 attacks and the families of those who died in the hijackings.

UPDATE:

After signing a bill that slates more than $300 billion for the defense department, President Bush said the bill "makes a down payment on our central commitment that we will give our forces what they need to defeat global terror." The United States owes its military personnel "a full measure of respect" and pledged to provide "decent pay and quality of life" along with the "best equipment and weaponry," he said. (Full story)

A jailed confidential source alerted authorities to a possible plot to kill Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, the president's brother. But several law enforcement officials said they had "serious doubts" about the credibility of the informant, saying he may be trying to strike a deal with prosecutors for his own benefit. (Full story)

New York Gov. George Pataki and leaders of four family groups for victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks said they have planned a protest for next week. They said they are displeased with a proposed regulation that would reduce compensation for victims' families if they received financial assistance from charitable organizations. (Full story)

Laura Bush: First lady of the United States, she has become
more visible since the terrorist attacks, making public appearances
urging parents and teachers to help reassure children that everything is
being done to try to keep them safe. Click here for more

Tom Ridge: Director of the U.S. Office of Homeland Security,
a new Cabinet-level position Click here for
more

Richard Clarke: Head of efforts to safeguard information
systems for the Office of Homeland Security Click here for more

Wayne Downing: Retired Army general tapped as deputy national
security adviser Click here for more

Dr. Jeffrey P. Koplan: Director of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention Click
here for more

Rudy Giuliani: Former mayor of New York

Michael Bloomberg: Mayor of New York

Anthony A. Williams: Mayor of Washington

Dr. Ivan Walks: Director of the Department of Health for the
District of Columbia

Paul O'Neill: Treasury secretary

Norman Y. Mineta:Transportation secretary

Jane Garvey: FAA administrator

VICTIMS:

The latest figures provided by federal and local officials give the
following numbers of people dead or missing from the September 11
attacks:

WORLD TRADE CENTER: According to New York officials, the estimated number of dead -- including 157 people on the two hijacked planes -- is 2,893: 622 confirmed dead, 309 missing with no death certificates issued, and 1,962 death certificates issued for victims whose remains have not yet been identified. The initial death estimate was as high as 6,500 people, but the number has fallen for several reasons, including elimination of duplicate reports.

The attacks of September 11 have sparked new debate about balancing
the protection of U.S. citizens with the protection of the civil rights
of those suspected of terrorism.

While the United States is proud of the freedoms and the legal
rights guaranteed by the Constitution, authorities and many citizens
have argued those people who seek to destroy America do not deserve such
protections while they represent an ongoing threat to the country.
Others argue that it is those very freedoms which the terrorists seek to
curtail, and that to limit individual rights provides them with a
victory.

While those arguments continue, so do the threats against U.S.
interests. Security remains high at airports, certain industries and
many government facilities.